Method and apparatus for centrifugally separating substances



Nov. 15, 1927. v 1,649,118

- L. D. JONES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY SEPARATING SUBSTANCES Filed Dec. 4, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvemboz L. D. JONES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY SEPARATING SUBSTANCES s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1923 L. D. JONES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY SEPARATING SUBSTANCES Filed Dec. 24. 1923 3 SheetsSheet 3 1 31% wow till Patented Nor. iii, 1927.;

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PAT an-m SPECTY COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANm, A CORPQRATION' F nnnawn.

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museu filed December at, teas. Serial no. erases;

My invention relates to a method and apparatus for the treatment of substances in a centrifugal machine and particularly substances containing elements or constitnents or ingredients of di'fierent densities, apphcatlons of my invention being the treatment or separation of substances in the rotor of a centrifugal machine with the employment when necessary of an auxiliary or carrier material.

[in object of my invention is to rovide a. method and apparatus whereby t e introduction of substances to the rotor of a cen-. trifugal'machine and their discharge there- "from are edectively carried out.

plurality or substances may be introduced separately into the rotor of a centrifugal machine, a further object in some cases be-. .o

of such introduced substances.

A'hturther object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby the principles of liquid balance'may be employed in introducing substances into and Withdrawing them from the rotor of a. con- 7 triiugal machine, a particular object being to so introduce auxiliary substances.

A further object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby the discharge of substances from the rotor out a'centrifugal machine may be effected at such stage in the process 0t separation or treatment thereof and from such part of the rotor as is most desirable, a further object being the attainment of such a discharge of l separated substances as will avoid undesirable treatment of them.

- A further object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby a, substance or a mixture may be treated Within the rotor of a centrifugal machine as by temperature change or a solvent or other agent a. particular object being to provide for free circulation of auxiliary substances within the rotor without harmful effect upon any condition or operation Within the rotor that is essential to the attainment of the objects of my invention, a further object being to make provision for maintaining a body of carrier or auxiliarysubstance within the rotor and either maintaining 'a'portion of that body stationary with respect to Another object of my invention is the pro vision of a method and apparatus whereby ing the prevention of undesirable mining the rotor orcausing some part of that body to move or progress Within the rotor in a direction that is either the same as or opposite to the direction in which another .sub-

stance moves Within the rotor.

An important application of my inventlon resides in the employment of my method and apparatus in the separation of a solid or semi-solid from a lighter'fiuid such as" in the case of the separation of waxtmm mineral oil and stearine from animal. or vegetable oil in which cases the use of an auxiliary or carrier liquid of the proper density may be advantageous. However, I do notlimit the application of my inven ti on to these specific examples; and .further objects and advanta es of my invention will to be found in'the fo lowing descriptionand pointed out in the appended claims.

in carrying out my invention I introduce into the rotor of a centrituga'l machine a substance that is to betreated or asubstance that is to be separated into'its parts or elements or constituents, such for example, as diluted lubricating oil that contains wax and has been Ehilled. An auxiliary or carrier liquid maybe used toefiect a treatmentot the substance to be separated or of one or more of its constituents, or to assist in the separation of the substance into its constituents or the removal of the substance or one or more of its parts or constituents from the rotor. Within the rotor v there; is maintained in a state of rapid rotation a main body of liquid orliquid and solid'or semi-solid material. This main body of material includes a substance or mixture stituent or part is being treated, or a. substance or mixture that is being separated or resolved into the parts or constituentsthere of or of which the constituents or parts are being segregated or stratified; and this body may, if any is employed, include an auxiliary treating or carrier substance. The contents of the rotor may comprise only sucha main body of material and any material thatmay be in outlet or inlet passages or the contents of the rotor may include in addition, it any are emplo ed, other or supplemental other bodies 0 material such' as a body. of material in liquid balance .with the l main body or a part thereof.

In carr ing out my invention I propose to so contro or effect the withdrawal or discharge of substances from the main body of. material that is under the influence of centrifu al force that those substances may be with rawn or discharged therefrom either promptly after their introduction thereto or after a prolon ed subjection to centrifugal force therewith, according to whether brief or continued subjection to centrifugal force while a part of said main body is de-.

sirable or undesirable. To this end a substance that should be subjected to centrifugal force but briefly while a part of such main body may be withdrawn therefrom at a point adjacent that at which it is introduced thereto and a substance requirin or unaffected b continued centrifugal orce may be wit drawn from such body at a point remote from that at which it is introduced thereto. A substance that should be promgtly withdrawn from such main body shoul usually be promptly discharged from the rotor and to that end I propose to discharge such a substance from the rotor at a point adjacent to that at which it is alone or with other substances introduced. When a substance is intr duced into such main body at a given pointy one part or constituent of that substance may be withdrawn from such body at a point either adjacent to or remote from said given point and another part or constituent may be withdrawn from such body at a point either remote from'or adjacent to said given point, and said points of withdrawal may be either remote from or adjacent to one another.

If themain body of material that is under the influence of centrifugal force includes auxiliary or carrier substance I propose to supply any additional auxiliary or carrier without producing any undesirable admixture thereof with other substances of such body and without undesirable interference with the withdrawal or discharge of any other substance from such body or from the rotor. To this end advantage is taken of the fact that carrier or auxiliary will occupy a substantially separate zone of such body and additions of carrier or auxiliary are su plied directly to the proper zone thereo without prior contact or admixture with other substances of such body. And I preferably introduce carrier or auxiliary to the rotor at a point near enough to the axis of the rotor to prevent discharge thereat of any part of the contents of the bowl and I then deliver it to the interior of the rotor or to the desired point of such main body therein by centrifugal force. One body of material that includes carrier or auxiliary substance may be hydraulically balanced withinthe rotor against a second body of material containing one or more substances orparts or constituents thereof not con- 'ment. duced to the main body 0 material within tained in the first body. To this end the art of the rotor that contains the main ody of material that is under the-influence of centrifugal force may communicate with another part or com artment of the rotor and then that body 0t material that includes carrier or auxiliary is contained in such compartment and constitutes a balancing or supplemental body. A part or constituent of a substance introduced to the rotor may be withdrawn from the main body of material within the rotor by passing it into such compartment and it ma then be discharged from the balancing bo y. Thus carrier or auxiliary may be ed directly to the balancing body to effect treatment of the constituent discharged therethrough and carrier or auxiliary may be discharged with such constituent to assist in its removal from the rotor. In that case the auxiliary or carrier contained in the main body of material within the rotor will be substantially stationary with respect to the rotor. To'avoid interference with-the discharge of any substance or part thereof from the rotor and to insure unimpeded introduction and effective action of carrier or auxiliary I prefer to introduce it through passages other than discharge passages and to deliver it into the interior of the rotor at points removed from or radially outward'of the point where the discharge passage leads from the compart- Carrier or auxiliar may be introthe rotor at a point remote from that at which a constituent is passed from the main body into the compartment, in which case the auxiliary or carrier will progress with respect to the rotor. I also pro ose to maintain, when desired, a counter ow of a substance to be treated and an auxiliary or carrier and to this end carrier or auxiliary may be introduced to the main body of material within the rotor ata point remote from that at which a substance to be treated is introduced to the main body and withdrawn therefrom at a point adjacent that at which the substance is introduced. Treatment of a substance may be effected whether or not there is separation of the substance into parts or constituents. A constituent or part may be withdrawnafter either brief or prolonged treatment regardless of whether the carrier or auxiliary is substantially stationary in part with respect to the rotor, or moving with or counter to another substance within the rotor,

This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 506,167, filed October 7th, 1921.

In the drawings:

-Fig. 1 is a broken view, partly in vertical section, of a centrifugal separator embodying and adapted to the practice of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a broken vertical sectional view ltl of a centrifugal separator bowl embodying and adaptedto the" practiccof certain features of my invention, and v Fig. 3 is a'brokcn vertical sectional view of a centrifugal separator combining features shown in Figs. 1 and 2. a

Referring to Fig. l the bowl or rotor 1 has at its top neck 2 by which it is suspended and revolved, and at its bottom has the boss 3 by which it is guided during rotation and through the opening 3" of which the substance to be separated or treated is introduced into the bowl. A ring dam a which need not be frusto conical as shown is fixed within the bowl preferably near one end thereof. This ring is provided with Weir's 4t and 5 that are concentric with the axis of rotation. Une of the constituents or parts of a substance to be separated passes over weir 5"and out through the passage 12 into the receiver or cover 13 from which it flows. A heavier element of a mixture or substance to, be separated passes around the weir a into the compartment 6 of the bowl between" the dam t and the end of the bowl. From this compartment such heavier element protil ceeds through the passages 7 into the circular passage 8 and over the weir 9 of the ring dam 9 that is concentric with the axis of ro-- tation of the bowl and into the cover 10. The dam 9 is held in place by the nut 19 so that it may be removed in order to substitute a dam 9 having a different internal diameter, in order to obtain the proper liquid. balance with respect to the particular substance be ing separated, Likewise the darn t is removably held in place as by the screw thread 5 so that dams thriving weirs l and 5 of different sizes may be substituted to control the liquid balance within the rotor. The dam lis, however, usually adjusted at the factory.

oil

lladiall inward of the discharge weir 9 is an annular chamber 14 from which passages 15 lead into the bowl 1. The passages 15 preferably open into the bowl 1 within the compartment 6 thereof and it is desirable, under circumstances hereinafter appearing,

that the passages 15 communicatewith the bowl or discharge thercinto at a point corresponding to the zone of one substance with in the bowl such as for example the auxiliary or carrier liquid. The passages 15 will preferably communicate with the bowl at a point radially outwardly of the passages 7 and also of the weir 5'. Since chamber it is radially inward of Weir 9 carrier or auxiliary will certainly be delivered, by reason of its greater liquid head or centrifugal force, to the dcsired'point within the rotor.

A chamber 16 that may be annular in contour is provided with apertures 16' directed into the chamber 14. Aopipe 17 is connected with the chamber 16 for supplying an auxiliary substance or carrier liquid.

, through the opening 3 I A substance to be treated or separated, such for example as oil or a solution thereof containing wax that has beenprecipitated ing 14: and passes through the passages 15 into the boWl,-the supply of such auxiliary or carrier being through the conduits 17 and 16 and the apertures 16. Under the action of centrifugal force constituents of the substance introduced in the bowl that are of difierent densities will occupy different zones and in the example under discussion the oil, or the solution thereof, that is freed of wax. will be discharged over the weir 5 through the conduitsll and 12 into the cover 13. And the wax will occupy a zone oiitside of the oil but inside of the carrier'liquid. The adjustment of the weirs 5', 9", 4: issuch that the compartment 6 will contains. body of material that includes carrier liquid, hydraulically balanced against the contents of the main portion of the bowl which includes .another substance such as the oil,

The heavier constituents such as the wax, will pass into the compartment 6 and to-' gether with carrier liquidthrough the passages 7 and 8 over the weir 9. The auxiliary or carrier occupies the outermost zone of the bowl and auxiliary or carrier material introduced through theopening 14 is, as will be apparent, conducted to its proper zone in" the bowl and is furthermore introduced into that portion of the contents of the bowl that is in the compartment 6 without admixture with the mixture to be separated or any of the constituents thereof and without any interference with the free discharge ,of any constituents from the rotor. 0n the contrary there will be a free circulation of auxiliary orcarrier material without interference with the centrifugal separation or discharge of the constituents of the substance to be treated and without such admixture with the substance to be treated as might, in the example under discussion, produce products Such as an emulsion that would not be entirely resolved by the action of the centrifugal machine. In order to facilitate the discharge of the heavier substance over the Weir 9 or out of the cover 10 into which it isdischarged, or in order to so treat it as to change its character 01' condition, a carrier or auxiliary may be selected to produce the desired end. For

example, the carrier or auxiliary might be a solvent or other agent or it mi ht be of such 4' temperature as would effect t e desired result, such as softening or hardening the constituent treated. Tn theconstruction shown in Fig. 1 thereis no flow of carrier or, auxiliary material along the interior of the bowl, but if any carrier or auxiliary material leaks out or ,is carried out by being entrained with a substance passing around the weir 4' and over the dam 9, liquid balance will nevertheless be maintained *by carrier or auxiliary passing from the compartment 6. If a flow of carrier-or auxiliary material within the interior of the bowl is desired it may be attained as hereinafter described.

If a constituent or part of a substance is withdrawn from the main body of material that is under the influence of centrifugal force, at a point adjacent that at which the substance is introduced to said body the period of time during which it is subjected to centrifugal force is reduced; and such a part or constituent is also preferably discharged promptly from the rotor. Thus in Fig. 2 the stem 2 of the bowl 1 is provided with a discharge 12 through which the lighter con stituent of the mixture passes to the circularv passage 12" and thence over the ad ustable weir 12. The dam 4 which need not be frusto-eonical forms with the one endof the bowl a compartment 6 and the heavier constituent passes around the edge 4 into the compartment 6 and through the passages 7 to the circular passage 8 and thence over the weir 9 of the adjustable dam 9. Carrier or auxiliary material is introduced by means of the tube 16? into the passage 14 from which it is conducted by the passages 15 to the interior of the rotor, being delivered into the rotor preferably within the body of material. contained in compartment 6, and also preferably within that zone of the rotor occup ed by such material. The openings 14 and 14 for the auxiliary or carrier material being positioned respectively radially'inwardly from the discharge weirs 9' and 9", carrier or auxiliary material will positively be carried into the rotor by reason of the greater hydraulic head or centrifugal force thereof than that of the material being discharged over the weirs 9 or 9. The construction and method of operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 avoids the necessity of subjecting a substance or a part thereof to prolonged centrifugal treatment that might better be given but brief centrif-. ugal treatment. This is done by discharging it promptly instead of carrying it through the entire length of the bowl. A constituent that is readily and promptly separated may thus be withdrawn from the main body of material within the rotor and also discharged from the rotor promptly after its admission to that body, whereas if it were carried throughout the length of the bowl and thus subjected to prolonged centrifugal treatment it might be reduced to such condition as of solidity or density, as would render its discharge under the necessary conditions, as of temperature, difiieult to say the least. If some portion of the constituent thus promptly discharged is of such a nature that it is separated with difiiculty, for example, not until after prolonged centrifugal treatment e. g. not untll it reaches the top of the bowl, it will probably be of such nature that it will not be put-into such condition during the time that it is travelling back to its discharge outlet, 0. g. at the bottom of the bowl that it cannot properly. be discharged. The constituent is thus started toward its discharge outlet as soon as it is separated out or segregated.

Under certain conditions it may be, as above stated, desirable to have a more or less extensive flow of auxiliary material through the bowl and furthermore, it may be desirable to have that flow in a direction counter to the flow of either one or all of the constituents of the substance acted upon by centrifugal force. Such conditions may be desirable where one or more constituents are to be treated as b a solvent, or other agent or temperature cianging material. Under some circumstances it may be desirable that an emulsion, mixture, or solution of the substance within the rotor should be made with an auxiliary or carrier material. In order to carry out a method that will effect such results, a construction such as that shown in Fig. 3 may be employed inwhich the bowl 1 mav be constructed at its top as shown in Fig. 1 and constructed at its bottom as shown in Fig. 2. In.employing such a construction the substance to be treated is introduced through the opening 3' and a lighter constituent that may be separated by contrifugal force is discharged from the top of the bowl over the weir 5'. A heavier separated constituent may be discharged over the weir 9' or over the weir 9" depending upon the relative sizes of the external dams 4 and 4", such heavier constituent passing around that dam having the smaller external diameter. The discharge of the heavier constituent may be from either a point adjacent that at which a substance is introduced into the bowl or a point removed from that at which it is introduced, e. g. the top or the ottom of the bowl, according to whether it is desirable to promptly or tardily remove that substance from the bowl.

llfi

Carrier or auxiliary liquid may be delivered into either of the openings 14 or 14 or both of them and may be of such character as desired, that is to say, a solvent, or other agent, or temperature changing substance, or emulsifying substance, etc. The point at which carrier liquid or auxiliary that is heavier than any constituent of the mixture will be discharged is independent of the discharge of any constituent of the mixture over weirs 9' and 9 and independent of the external diameters of the dams 4' and 4", the point of such discharge being determined solely by the relative mternal diameters of the weirs 9' and 9", such discharge being over that till it weir having the larger internal diameter, (Consequently carrier or auxiliary may be discharged from one end of the rotor While a heavier constituent of the mixture is being discharged from the other end or both may be discharged from the same end.

While 1 have described my invention in connection with certain specific examples for the purpose oi rendering my method and apparatus clearly understandable, I do not 1ntend to be limited thereto, nor do I intend.

that my invention shall be limitedto sitnations wherein an actual separation always occurs, but it may be applied to situations wherein the treatment by means of an auxiliary or carrier material is the end sought. And in cdnnection with the bonstruction shown in Fig. 8 auxiliary or carrier materials for effecting difierent results may be ,introduced simultaneously into opposite ends at the rotor, a simple example being the introduction of cold brine at the top and hot brine or a solvent at the bottom when wan separated from chilled oil is being dis- .5 charged at the bottom of the rotor. It will be noted that the apparatus herein described carries out the introduction of substance to "and their withdrawal from the contents of the rotor as set out in the more general statemerit of my invention, and that when a substance is to be introduced to or withdrawn from a particular point of the contents of the rotor l have carried out that operation directly byfintroducing the substance to or withdrawing it from a corresponding or adjacent point oi the rotor; but my invention includes the introduction of substances to or their withdrawal from any part of the rotor so long as those substances are introduced to or withdrawn from the contents of the rotor its-herein described it is to be understood that in referring to'the ends of the rotor or the separating chamber thereof it is not intended as a lin'xitation to some particular form of rotor or part thereof but as a reference to the beginning and end of the travel oi the substance to be treated or separated. ll do not limit myself to a definite shape for the rotor or any chamber or compartment thereof or to any definite path forth'e travel of a mixture or. substance therein. For example the compartment 6 need not be formed as shown in the constructions herein de-.

scribed but might consist merely of a tube or passage performing the same function;

let passages that aredescribed as being for a substance to be treated may be used for a treatingsubstance. And the wings 20 of which three are shown in position in the bowl for the purpose of bringing the conthe speed of the rotor need not necessarily be employed. For example, it may be desirable to omit the wings 20 when passing one substance through another by the action of centrifugal force in order to treat said substancesone by the other or mutually, as by bringing them intointimate contact, in order to change the physical or chemical nature of one or the other or both substances, as for example in forming an emulsion, such an operation being carried out by introducing or carrying a heavier substance to an inward zone of the main body of material in the rotor, e. g. through the inletB, and introducing or carrying a lighter substance to an outward zone thereof, e. g. through the inlets 14 or 14, and permitting such substances to subside to or resume their natural zones under the action oi centrifugal force. By such operation a lighter substance is causedto pass radially inwardly through a heavier substance and a heavier substance is caused to pass radially outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force. lln the centrifugal bowl there is a main body of the substance or mixture that isundergoing centrifugal force that .is located between the.

mainly of carrier liquid and the waxpassing around the edges of the ring dams 4' and 4" is quickly discharged from the sup plemental bodies that are in those compartments. Carrier liquid and any wax in the compartments 6 and 6 will have a definite radial depth and a definite centrifugal force acting in a radial direction and the substances constituting the main body of mate- 'rial on the opposite side of either ring dam will have a definite radial depth and'a definite centrifugal force acting in a radial direcstance to be treated or the auxiliary substance may occupy an inner zone of the bowl and the passages described as being for the inlet-and outlet of carrier or auxiliary might be used for the inlet and outlet of a substance to be treated While the inlet andoub tion. In order that the centrifugal machine shall operate properly the centrifugal force in a radialdirection of the substances on opposite sides of the ring dams, i. e. the centrifugal force of the main body of material and the centrifugal force of the supplemental body must balance. There is therefore within the bowl at all times a liquid or hydraulic balance on opposite sides of the ring dams 4' and 4 Thisbalance is maintained by adjusting the weirs 9 and '9" so tents of the rotor 2 and maintaining it at .gal' force acting in a radial when a heavier substance is introduced through opening 3' and discharged over that the supplemental bodies have the proper radial epth and the roper centrifuireetion. Thus,

weirs 9' or 9", and a lighter substance .is introduced to the outer zone ofthe bowl through passa es 15 or 15 and discharged over weir 5', tie weirs at the inlet ends of which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, disclmrging a part of said substance, and introducing an auxiliary into the interior of the rotor at a point adjacent to and separate from the point therein at which said part is discharged therefrom while maintaining the contents of the rotor in liquid balance.

2. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance intothe revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, discharging a part of said substance,

' and introducing an auxiliary into the interior of the rotor at a, point adjacent and radially outward from the point therein at which said art is discharged therefrom while maintaining the contents of the rotor in li uid balance.

3. he method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, discharging a part of said substance, and introducing an auxiliary to the rotor at a point radially inward of and adjacent to that at which said part is discharged fromthe rotor and delivering it into the interior of the rotor at a point therein radially outward of said point at which said part is discharged therefrom while maintaining the contents of the rotor in liquid balance.

4. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to separate it into its constituents and discharging said constituents separately while separately introducing an auxiliary into the rotor and bringing it into contact with one of said separated constituents at a pointadjacent to and separate fromthat at which said constituent 1s discharged.

5. The method of treating a substance which consists in subjecting the substance to the influence of centrifugal force, withdrawing a part of the substance into a supplemental body also under the influence of said centrifugal force, discharging said part from said body, and maintaining a flow of an auxiliary liquid into said body at a point separate from the point at which said part of the substancepasses thereto, and from said body at a point separate from the point thereofat which the auxiliary enters therein.

6. The method of treating a substance which consists in subjecting the substance to the influence of centrifugal force, withdrawing a part of the substance into a supplemental body also under the influence of said centrifugal force, dischar 'ng said part from said body, and separately introducing an auxiliary into said body at a point radially outward of the point thereof from which said part discharges.

7. 'lhe'method of treating a substance 8. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducin the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to separate it into its constituents, discharging one of said constituents from the main body of material within the rotor at a point thereof adjacent that at which the substance is introduced thereto, while introducing an auxiliary into the contents of the rotor at a point thereof remote from the point thereof at which said constituent is discharged therefrom.

9. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugalmachine to separate it into its constituents, discharging one of said constituents from the mam body of material within the rotor at a point thereof adjacent that at which the substance is introduced thereto, while introducing an auxiliary into the contents of the rotor at a point thereof adjacent to and a point thereof remote from the point at which said constituent is discharged therefrom.

10. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to separate it into its constituents, discharging one of said constituents, and introducing an auxiliary to the contents of the rotor at a .point thereof adjacent to and at a point thereof remote from the point thereof at which said constituent is discharged.

11. Thevmethod of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to separate it into its constituents, disweenie charging one'of said constituents at a point adjacent that at which the substance is introduced and introducing an auxiliary at a point adjacent saidxdischarge point.

12.'The method of treating a substance which" consists in maintaining within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine a body of auxiliary or carrier material, introducing the substance into the rotor to effect separation of its constituents, discharging said constituents from opposite ends of the contents of the rotor, and introducing auxiliary or carrier to said body thereof at a pointadjacent'the discharge of one of said constituents. v j

13. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to effect separation of its constituents, dischargin 'saidbconst-ituents from the contents of the rotor respectively at points thereof adjacentto and remote from the introduction point of the substance thereto and introducing auxiliary or carrier thereto adjacent said introduction point of the substance. v

la. The methodiof treating a substance which consists in main aining within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal -machine "a bodyof auxiliary or carrier material, introducing the substance into the rotor to effect separation of its constituents, discharging said constituents. from opposite ends of the body of the substance within the rotor and introducing auxiliary or carrier directly into said body thereof. a

15., The method of treating a substance which consists in maintaining within the revolving rotor of a' centrifugal machine a body of auxiliary or carrier material introducing the substance into the rotor to effect separation of its constituents, and separately discharging said constituents from the contents of the rotor while introducing auxiliary or carrier into said body thereof at a point adjacent to and separate from the discharge of one of said constituents and discharging carrier or auxiliary from the rotor with said last named constituent;

.16. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance ,into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to effect separation of its constituents, and separately discharging said constituents from the contents of the rotor respectively at remote points thereof while introducing auxiliary or carrier thereinto at points thereof adjacent to and remote from the dischargeof one of said constituents.

17. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance from oppositeends of the contents of the rofor, introducing auxiliary liquid into the rotor and discharging it from the contents thereof at'the end opposite to that at which ducing an auxiliary substance directly into" said supplemental body while discharging said part and auxiliary togethei from said supplemental body at a point other than-that at which said auxiliary enters said supplemental body;

19. The method of treating a substancewhich consists in maintaining a main body thereof and a supplemental bodywithin the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, passing a part of the substance from the main body to the su-pplementalbody under action of centrifugal force and 'introducing auxiliary substance directly into said supple'mentalbody while discharging, said part and auxiliary together from'said rotor at a point radially inward of the point at which said auxiliary enters said supplemental body.

20. The method of treating a substanc which consists in maintaining a main body thereof and a supplemental body within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, passing a part of the substance from the main body to the supplemental body under the action of centrifugal force, discharging said part from the rotor while introducing an" auxiliary substance intosaid supplemental body at a point thereof other than the points at which said partenters into and discharges from said supplelnental body.

21. The method; of treating a substance which consists in n'iaintaining a main body thereof and a supplemental body within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, separately passing apart of the substance from the main body and introducing an auxiliary substance into said supplemental body both under the action of centrifugal force, and discharging said part and said auxiliary together from the rotor.

22. The method of treating a substance which consists in maintaining a'main body.

thereof within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine and subjecting it to ccntrifugal force to separate out one of its constituents, maintaining a supplemental body in said rotor, passing said constituent from said main body into said sup lemental body, flowing hot liquid radially inward through said supplemental body, and discharging said constituent and auxiliary from the rotor together.

23. The method of treating a. substance which consists in maintaining a main body thereof and a supplemental body within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, passing a part of the substance from said main body into said supplemental body and under the action of centrifugal force introducing an auxiliary into said supplemental body and discharging said part and auxiliary together from the rotor.

24. The method of treating a substance which consists in maintaining within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine a body of auxiliar material some part of which is substa-ntlally non-progressing with respect to said rotor, introducing the substance to said rotor to effect its separation into its constituents, and separately discharging said constituents while introducin auxiliary into said body thereof at a point between the discharge of one of sa d constituents and a remote point of said body.

25. The method of treating a substance which consists in maintaining counter flow of the substance to be treated and an auxiliary substance in contact within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machinewhile maintaining the contents of said rotor in liquid balance.

26. The method of treating one substance with another substance which consists in passing said substances in contact through the revolvin rotor of a centrifugal machine in opposite irections while maintaining the contents of the bowl in liquid balance.

27. The method of separating a mixture of substances which consists in introducing the mixture into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to effect its separation, discharging the separated substances separately, and introducing a carrier or auxiliary heavier than the heavier of said substances and before contact with the mixture or separated substances directly iuto its proper zone adjacent the discharge of the heavier of said substances while maintaining the contents of the rotor in liquid balance.

28. In a method of separating wax from oil the steps of introducing a mixture thereof into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, centrifugally separating the wax from the oil, discharging the wax from the contents of the rotor at a point adjacent the point at which said mixture is introduced thereto, and centrifugally passing a heavier liquid into contact with the wax prior to its discharge.

29. The method of treating asubstance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal'machine to separate it into its constituents, and discharging one of said constituents while cent-rifugally passing an auxiliary or carrier into contact with it at a point adjacent its discharge and maintaining the contents of the rotor in liquid balance.

30. The method of separating a mixture of substances which consists in introducing the mixture into the rotor of a centrifugal machine, introducing a. carrier liquid into the rotor, maintaining a body of material comprising carrier liquid hydraulically balanced within the bowl against a body of liquid containing one of said substances and discharging the substances separately, the heavier of said substances being discharged through said first named body and the introduction of the carrier' being directly into the lirst mentioned body at a point adjacent to and separate from the discharge point of the heavier substance.

31. The method of treating substances which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine, maintaining a body comprising a carrier or auxiliary material in liquid balance within the rotor against a body including a portion of said substance not contained in said first named body, and introducing the carrier or auxiliary directly into the first named body by its centrifugal force acting against that of the contents of the bowl.

32. The centrifugal mechanism which comprises a revoluble bowl having an inlet for a mixture of substances of different densities and outlets for separated constituents of the mixture, and a dam forming a compartmentwithin the bowl and from which leads the outlet 'for one constituent, said bowl having an inlet for a carrier or auxiliary substance opening into said compartment at a point radially outward of the point from which said outlet leads therefrom. 33. In combination a centrifugal rotor having an inlet for introducing into the interior of the bowl a substance to be separated, an outlet for a lighter constituent of the substance, inlets at both ends for an auxiliary substance and outlets at both ends for auxiliary substance and a heavier constituent, and means including weirs and dams and adjustable to determine from which of said last named outlets auxiliary and heavier constituent discharge.

34. In combination a centrifugal rotor having an inlet for introducing into the interior of the bowl a substance to be separated, an outlet for a lighter constituent of the substance, inlets at both ends for an auxiliary substance and outlets at both ends for auxiliary substance and a heavier constituent, and means including weirs and dams and adjustable to determine from which of said last named outlets auxiliary and heavier constituent discharge irrespective of which of said auxiliary inlets conducts auxiliary into said bowl.

rat-ed substances remote from said inlet, exterior to said inlet and adjacent thereto an outlet for the heaviest of the separated constituents, and an independent inlet for delivering a heavier carrier liquid into its proper zone within said bowl.

36. The centrifugal mechanism comprising a revoluble bowl, an inlet for substances to be separated, discharge conduits for separated substances respectively adjacent to and remote from said inlet, and lnlet conduits for a carrier liquid respectively adjacent 1 said discharge conduits.

37. The centrifugal mechanism comprisin a revoluble' bowl having an inlet for su stances to be separated, discharge conduits for a separated substance respectively adjacent to and remote from said inlet, and adjustable dams for controlling the flow through said conduits so as to eilect the discharge through either.

38.. The centrifugal mechanism comprising a revoluble bowl hailing an inlet for substances to be separated, outlets for the separated substances respectively adjacent to and remote from said inlet, and inlets tor a carrier liquid respectively adjacent tosaid outlets.

39, The centrifugal mechanism which comprises a revoluble bowl having an inlet for a substance to be separated, outlets for the separatedconstituents, and an inlet passage for auxiliary or carrier leading from a point radially inward of the outlet for the heavier of said constituents to a point radially outward thereof and adjacent thereto within the bowl, said outlets being adj usted to maintain the contents of the bowl in liquid balance.

4:0. The method of treating a substance which consists in introducing the substance to the revolvingrotor of a centrifugal machine to separate it into its constituents, withdrawingthe heavier of said constituents "from the main body of material within the rotor, and introducing auxiliary material to said body at a point adjacent to, and withdrawing it from said body at a point remote from, the point thereof at which "said heavier constituent is withdrawn therefrom.

till

41. The method of treatin a substance which consists in passing a lig iter substance through a heavier substance under themtime of centrifugal force while maintaining said substances H1 liquid balance within the rotor of a centrifugal machine.

42. The method of treating a'substance which consists in introducing the substance into the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine to separate it-into its constituents, introducing an auxiliary to the rotor, and

n substance to be treated, a

and the auxiliary'from the main body of material in the rotorrespectively at points remote from each other, while maintaining the contents of the rotor in liquid balance, 43. The centrifugal mechanism com risi a revoluble bowl havin discharge outlet for a lighter constituent, means for withdrawing a heavier constituent from the main body of-material within the rotor at oints remote from each other and adjustable to determine at which of said points withdrawal occurs, an inlet for introducin a carrier liquid, and means for discharging carrier liquid at points remote from each other and adjustable to determine asito which of said last named points discharge of carrier occurs.

44. The centrifugal mechanism comprising a revoluble bowl havin an inlet for a substance to be treated, ail for a lighter constituent, an inlet for car rier liquid, outlets remote'from each other, means for determining through which of saidoutlets a heavier constituent will be discharged, and means for determining through which of said outlets carrier will be dis charged.- a. 45. The" niethod of treating a substance which consistsin maintaining a main body thereof and a supplemental body within the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine,

passing a part of the substance from the main body to the supplemental body under the influence of centrifugal force, and dischargin said part from' said supplemental body While introducing thereto, at a point radially outward of the point at which said part discharges therefrom, hot auxiliary or carrier liquid.

46. The method of treating a substance which consists insubjecting a body of the substance to centrifugal force, withdrawing a part of the substance frond said body at a point at a given radial distance from the axis of rotation, bringing a lighter treating agent into the influence 0t centrifugal force at a point radiallyinward of said point and delivering it to said body at a point s need as far from said axis radially as sai first named oint, and withdrawing said agent from said body at a radially inward point. 47. In a method of separating war from oil the step of introducing the mixture there of into the revolvin rotor of a centrifugal machine, centrifuge ly separating the wan from the oil, discharging the wax from the contents of the rotor at a. point adjacent the point at which said mixture is introduced thereto, and discharging the oil from scharge outlet an inlet or a lid Mid)

with another which comprises introducing the lighter of the substances to the outer zone of a rotating centrifugal bowl, introducing the heavier of the substances to the inner zone of the bowl, discharging the lighter substance from the inner zone, and discharging the heavier substance from the outer zone.

49. In a centrifugal machine a rotor mounted for rotation and having an inlet for introducing a heavier substance directly to the inner zone of the rotor, an inlet passage for a lighter substance leading from a radlally inward point to the outer zone of the interior of the rotor, a discharge for the lighter substance from the inner zone of the rotor, and a discharge passage for heavier substance from the outer zone of the rotor.

50. In a method for separating wax from petroleum oil the steps comprising subjectmg the wax-containing oil to centrifugal force in the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine and separating waxfrom the oil, passing the separated wax into a supplemental body of li uid within the rotor, flowing hot liquid ra 'ally inward through said supplemental body and discharging 1t with the wax, andseparately discharging the oil. 51. In a method for separating wax from petroleum 011 the steps comprising subject mg the wax-containing oil to centrifugal force in the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine and separating wax from the oil, passing the separated wax into a se arate ody of liquid within the rotor an dischargln it therefrom, maintainin a flow of hot liquid through said separate dy and in heat exchange relation with the wax therein, and separately discharging the oil. 52. In a method for separating wax from petroleum oil the steps comprising subjecting the wax-containing oil to centrifugal force 111 the revolving rotor of a centrifugal machine and separating wax from the oil, passing theseparated wax into a separate body of llqllld within the rotor and dischargng it therefrom, maintainin a flow of hot liquid through said separate ody in the direction in which wax is movin therein and in heat exchange relation with the wax therein, and separately discharging the oil. In testimony-whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

LEO D. 'JONES. 

